White-eared Ground Sparrow

Overview

The white-eared ground sparrow (Melozone leucotis) is a species of New World sparrow found in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, its population is believed to be decreasing due to habitat reduction and fragmentation.

Identification

• Approximately 18 cm long with a blackish bill and pinkish legs.
• Adults have a mostly black head with white patches near the eye and ear coverts, plus large yellow patches behind the ears.
• Underparts feature a black throat and breast patch, with gray to white flanks and a whitish belly.
• The male song begins slowly before accelerating into a profusion of loud, high notes.

Habitat

This species inhabits a variety of somewhat open landscapes, including riparian forests, forest edges, coffee plantations, and urban thickets. It ranges in elevation between 500 and 2,000 m across its range, though it is found between 1,000 and 2,000 m in Costa Rica.

Diet

The white-eared ground sparrow feeds on small seeds, fruits, insects, and other arthropods, occasionally consuming human food waste. It forages mostly on the ground, kicking leaf litter backwards with both feet simultaneously between hops.

Did you know?

Although the species is non-migratory, females often change territories from year to year while males remain sedentary. Additionally, the bronzed cowbird is a common nest parasite for this species.